Mergers & Acquisitions Senior Associate

About the Company

Franklin Templeton is a forward-thinking asset manager that builds dynamic relationships with clients to understand their goals and navigate complex markets together. Leveraging cutting-edge strategies and deep insights, the company unlocks opportunities for long-term wealth creation. With a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive culture, Franklin Templeton offers a globally diverse business where talented teams bring broad and unique expertise.

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton, serving clients in over 150 countries. The company’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management, and technology solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals and offices in major financial markets worldwide, Franklin Templeton has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.7 trillion in assets under management as of March 2026.

Franklin Templeton’s alternatives asset management business manages $280 billion in assets and includes Benefit Street Partners (private credit), Clarion Partners (real estate), and Lexington Partners (private equity secondaries and co-investments). Recent acquisitions include Benefit Street Partners (2019), Legg Mason (2020), O’Shaughnessy Asset Management (2021), Lexington Partners and Alcentra (2022), Putnam (2024), Apera (2025), and 250 Digital (2026).

About the Role

The M&A team at Franklin Templeton is seeking a highly analytical, articulate, and detail-oriented individual to join as part of a global M&A function. This position reports to the Global Treasurer and Head of M&A and covers opportunities across alternative asset management, traditional asset management, and wealth management.

Responsibilities

• Work with senior management to identify and execute Franklin Templeton’s global M&A activities, including joint ventures, strategic investments, and other growth initiatives.
• Lead the creation of detailed financial models to assess M&A and strategic initiatives, including valuations, returns, key operating assumptions, and sensitivities.
• Conduct detailed financial due diligence, including quality-of-earnings reviews, working capital analyses, and operational assessments.
• Prepare investment committee materials, including transaction memos, valuation outputs, and risk assessments.
• Perform comprehensive industry and competitive landscape analyses to support deal thesis development.
• Drive the execution of opportunities, including presentations, financial modeling, due diligence, transaction structuring, and negotiation.
• Assess industry valuation benchmarking and relevant comparables.
• Assist with post-closing integration across investments, distribution, and all corporate functions.

Requirements

• A minimum of 3 to 6 years of experience in investment banking, corporate development, M&A, and/or asset management.
• Experience in the Financial Institutions industry group with a focus on asset management.
• Proven experience executing M&A transactions, including end-to-end deal modeling, valuation, and transaction analysis.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling expertise, with exceptional PowerPoint and presentation skills for senior-level audiences.
• Highly developed analytical skill set, with the ability to synthesize complex financial and strategic information.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage artificial intelligence tools and techniques to enhance analysis, decision-making, and execution.
• Deep understanding of—and genuine enthusiasm for—the global financial and investment markets.
• Proven ability to manage multiple, complex priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with a commitment to accuracy and high-quality output.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely.
• Collaborative, team-oriented work style with the ability to partner effectively across functions.
• Self-starting individual contributor with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Bachelor's degree in finance or a related field.

Pay

The expected annual salary for this position ranges between $165,000 to $190,000, in addition to a competitive bonus. Compensation decisions consider factors such as location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, following a total reward philosophy.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: Three weeks of PTO in your first year.
• Health Coverage: Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with an 85% company match on pre-tax and/or Roth contributions, up to IRS limits.
• Equity & Investing: Employee Stock Investment Plan (ESIP) with discounted share purchase opportunities.
• Learning & Development: Education Assistance Program (LEAP) to support ongoing growth and career advancement.
• Employee Investment Benefits: Opportunity to purchase company funds with no sales charge.